Combined rail-joint and anti-rail-spreader.



ALFRED H. NEWPHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED RAIL-JOINT .AND ANTI-RAIL-SPRE-ADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

' Application filed .Tune 22', 1907. Serial No. 380,238.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED H. NEwri-IER, a citizen of the United States, residing at 11024: Indiana avenue, inthe city of Chicago,

county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Rail-Joint and A nti- Rail-Spreader, of which the 4following lis a specification.

My invention relates to rail joints, and the particular obj ect of my invention is to provide ara-il joint which shall prevent both lateral and vertical relative movement between the adjacent endsv of abutting rails.

A further object is to vprovide a combined rail joint and an anti-rail spreading device.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. v

Vith these objects in view, my invention is embodied in the rail joint, and in various details of construction and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. i.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying` drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a combined rail joint and anti-rail spreading device, embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross section through both rails of the track, takenv upon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 41 is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a similar section upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation illustrating the manner in which one portion of the device may be used by itself as an efficient rail joint.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1-1 indicates the ends of abutting rails, and 2--2 angle irons constituting portions of my novel rail joint. The angle irons, 2 are of substantially uniform thickness throughout in cross section, and are shaped to conform to the web and foot portions of the rail when in position. (See Fig. l.) To this end each iron comprises a vertical portion 2 which lies against the web of the rail and fits snugly between the head and foot thereof; and the substantially horizontal portions, 2 and 2" which surroundv and fit snugly upon the foot of the rails. These angle irons may be held upon the rails by bolts, 3, but I equip saidirons with additional locking devices, which I rely upon as upon the rails.

the principal means for fastening the irons To this end, sections `of the portions 2 which underlie the foot of the 'rail are turned downwardly, forming depending flanges, 4, and suitable means are provided for tying these together in pairs. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 I provide three such flanges upon each iron, 2, one at each end and one in the center. The end flanges, 1, are connected by bolts, 5. These are preferably curved, as shown, and a block, 6 is provided between said bolt and the foot of the rail. These form an eficient substitute for the portion 2 as when thebolts, 5 are tightened, 'the blocks. are drawn firmly against the foot of the rail, and support the same. On account of the angular disposition of the ends of the bolts, 5 in the angle irons, 2, I provide the latter with bosses, 7

against which the head and nut seatsquarely. I have shown the bosses as made `.integral with the irons,` 2, but they may be `made separately and shaped to conform thereto. It is obvious that when the bolts, 5 are tightened, binding the irons firmly upon the ends of the rails, that there can be absolutely no relative movement between the `abutting ends of the rails.

Extending through the central Hanges, 4,

lis a bar, 8. This may be of any shape in cross section, but I prefer it to be rectangular as shown. This is arranged close under the foot of the rails, so as to overlapthe joint between them. The bar is provided with slots, 9, one upon each side of the rail joint members, to receive cotters or wedges, 10. These wedges lclamp the angle irons firmly upon the rails and the bar, 8, serves a similar purpose as do the blocks, 6. The wedges, 10 are provided with a slot or kerf, 11, which forms a thin tongue, 12 upon the outer edge thereof. When the Wedges are driven into place, the tongues, 12 are bent over, as shown, locking them against displacement.

rail to rail of the track as shown in Fig. 2, securely locking the rails against relative transverse movement. It is evident that I may use this portion of the device alone, as a rail joint or as a combined rail joint and anti-rail spreading device. To this end only so much of the device as is shown between the letters A. and B in Fig. 1 is used, which forms a complete device for either or both purposes. Also the locking device shown at To lconstitute an anti-rail. .spreading device, the bar, 8 extends from the ,ends of the joint may be used separately as a rail joint. IVhen thus used it is constructed as shown in Fig. G.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a device of the class described, the combination, with the rails, of a pair of angle irons shaped to conform to the web and foot portions of said rails, a plurality of depending flanges upon each of said angle irons, bolts connecting certain of said flanges for binding said angle irons upon said rails, a rod passing through others of said flanges, and wedges passing through said rod and adapted to press said angle irons, upon said rails, substantially as described.

2. InI a device of the class described, the combination with the abutting ends of the rails, of a pair of angle irons shaped to conform to the web and foot portions of said rails, a depending flange at each end of each of said angle irons, said angle irons also having an intermediate depending flange, bolts connecting said end flanges, a flat bar passing through said intermediate flanges close beneath the abutting ends of the flanges and means for securing said bar in place.

3. In a device of the class described, the two rails of a track, in combination with a pair of angle irons upon each said rail and conforming to the shape of the web and foot 'port-ions thereof, a plurality of depending flanges upon each of said angle irons, bolts connecting certain of said flanges for bindn ing said angle irons upon said rails, a rod passing through other flanges upon the angle 'Y irons on both said rails, and means upon said rod for rigidly spacing said rails apart, said means also serving as additional means for binding said angle irons upon said rails, substantially as described.

:bolts connecting certain of said flanges for binding said angle irons upon said ails, blocks interposed between said bolts and the foot of said rails, al rod passing through others of said flanges, and wedges passing through said rod and adapted to press said angle irons upon said rails, substantially as 55 described.

In a device of the class described, the two rails of a track, in combination with a. pair of angle irons upon each of said rails and conforming to the shape of the web and the foot portions thereof, depending flanges upon each of said angle irons, curved bolts connecting certain of said flanges for binding said angle irons upon said rails, blocks interposed between said bolts and the foot ot `said rails, a rod passing through other flanges upon the angle irons on both said rails, and means upon said rod for rigidly spacing said iails apart, said means also serving as additional means for binding said angle irons upon said rails, substantially as described.

G. In a device of the class described, the combination with the abutting ends of the rails, of a pair of angle irons each comprising a vertical portion adapted to lie against the web of the rail, a substantially horizontal portion adapted to lie against the upper face of the foot and a horizontal portion :ulapted to lie close against' the underfaee of the foot, portion of the rail, the latter portion of said irons having its ends and an intern'iediate section turned downwardly forn'ling depending flanges, bolts connectingthe end llanges, a. i'od passing through said intermediate portions and lying close against the foot of the rails and wedges passing through said rod, substantially as described.

7. In a device of thel class described, the abutting ends of the rails, in combination with a pair of angle irons each comprising a` vertical portion adapted to lie against the web of the rail, a substantially horizontal portion adapted to lie close against the upper face of the foot of the rails and a bottom horizontal portion adapted to lie close against the underface of the foot portions, said hottoin portion having sections turned downwardly to forni depending flanges, curved bolts connecting said depending flanges in pairs and a curved block interposed between said bolt aild the foot of said rails substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have. signed my name to this specification in the presence ol" two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED H. NEYVI l l E lt.

Titnesses F. E. Snninrr, I-l. S. AUs'iiN. 

